Intel announced 29 new processors based on the 2nd Generation Intel Core Processor Family. This includes one i7 Extreme Edition (Mobile i7-2920XM), 12 new i7 processors (nine mobile and three desktop), 12 new i5 CPUs (four mobile and eight desktop) and four new i3 chips (one mobile, three desktop).

The naming scheme for the 2nd Generation Core processors is a bit similar to the original Core series, but there are some changes.

For example, we will be looking at the Intel Core i5 2500K. The Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 moniker remains the same. The “2” represents a 2nd generation product while the “500” is the SKU. Additionally, our CPU has a “K” suffix which designates a fully unlocked model targeted at overclockers. Some processors don't have a suffix while others do.

Last year we saw Intel move the integrated graphics from the motherboard to the CPU directly, although it was a separate 45nm die that sat alongside the CPU die on the package. With the 2nd Generation Core Series, Intel has integrated the GPU directly on the CPU die. This of course means the GPU size has shrunk to 32nm. Intel points out that the L3 cache from the CPU is shared across all four cores and the processor graphics.

Dubbed Intel HD Graphics 2000 / 3000 based on their Execution Unit (EU) count, the 2000 series carries 6 EUs while the 3000 works with 12 EUs. Additionally, Intel HD Graphics can be categorized based on their Max Dynamic Frequency: up to 1100MHz for the 2000 series and up to 1350MHz for the 3000 series. The only exception to this rule is the i5-2500K, a 3000 series that is only rated up to 1100MHz.